Fantasy, Realism, and the Other in Recent Video Games

Abstract

Despite the growing use and complexity of the virtual environments of video games, geographers have neglected investigation of the representation of video game spaces. Game spaces are entirely artificial, and whether they feature swords-and-sorcery fantasy worlds or gritty urban streets, video game environments are embedded with metaphors and ideas for political and mythological constructs. This article examines the virtual environments of four recent games, conducting visual and textual analysis of the representation of fantasy, realism, and othering.